The History of Our Club
A LITTLE HISTORY & INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CLUB
The women's association is celebrating 44 years in existence in 2013
&
The men's association is celebrating 32 years in existence in 2013
The Kentucky Girls Barrel Racing Association was formed in 1969 by a group of up and coming women barrel racers wanting to promote barrel racing and pole bending in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. They wanted to encourage horsemanship, sportsmanship and fellowship along with a competitive spirit among women barrel racers. The Kentucky Men's Barrel Racing was formed in 1981 and worked along the same guidelines with the addition of flag racing added to the list of events. Both clubs have grown tremendously and now are joined as one club, known as the Kentucky Girls and Men's Barrel Racing Association. Although we run for separate points in barrels and poles, the men and women are combined in flags. The youth and peewee are also combined. Our big fund raiser is our annual Fall Classic which is held Memorial weekend in conjunction with the Elwood Hayes Memorial Horse show at the Grayson County Saddle Club in Leitchfield, KY. This is a great two-day event to attend with the prices of fuel these days. September the month of the Midwest Barrel Match, which Kentucky will be hosting. October is when we have our year-end awards meeting and cook out. This is a fun event to attend as well. This is one of our most important meetings of the year, as this is when officers are elected for the following year and the award money amounts are discussed. For those of you not familiar with the Midwest Barrel Match, this is a two-day Match Barrel Race consisting of the top 10 women from 6 states. It is possible for each state to have multiple women's teams. There is also a Match Race for the men following the women's match each day. This consists of the top 10 men from approximately 6 states. It varies year to year. The men are also allowed multiple teams. This is held in a different state each year. The 2013 Match will be held at C Bar C, Cloverdale Arena in IN. There is an open show on Friday and the match is run on Saturday and Sunday. There are awards presented to the woman with the fastest average of the two days in the women's match and also an award presented to the man with the fastest average of the two days for the men's match. There are also awards for the fastest time of each match each day. There is a Best Dressed Trophy presented for the women's match and a "Spirit" trophy presented to the state with the loudest and most supportive group. Also, in conjunction with the match runs each participant can pay an additional entry fee and be eligible for prize money from the match, which is paid, in a 4-D format. Illinois will be hosting this event in 2013. This is a great event to participate in and you could write a whole book on the fun, experiences, and friends you've made over the years at this great event. If anyone would like more information, please feel free to contact any of the club's officers. This is just a quick summary of what the Kentucky Girls and Men's Barrel Racing association is about. We are a very family oriented club and put great emphasis on our youth and peewee awards. They are the future of our sport and this is a great way to encourage them to do their very best. Many of our members have been a part of the association since the beginning and have grown up together in the club. Today their children are growing up in the club and carrying on the tradition. If anyone would like more information on our club or becoming a member please feel free to contact any of the officers or use the e-mail address listed on the web site.
If anyone has any questions concerning the Midwest Barrel Match, Mary Young is the Midwest Barrel Match Group Coordinator and will be glad to answer any questions you may have. You may e-mail Mary at home, speedycanchasers@aol.com or at work myoung@kingbrook.net.